A traffic congestion is reported after a container truck transporting beer bottles, had overturned on the Colombo-Ratnapura road.

The incident had taken place in the Meennana area in Eheliyagoda, reports say.

The container truck had reportedly toppled while taking a bend. A large number of beer bottles have shattered on the road, reports add.

A 18-member delegation from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) visited Sri Lanka from March 17 – 18, 2025.

The delegation included representatives from leading Indian vehicle manufacturers across all segments, including commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers.

During the visit, the delegation called on Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Hon. Sunil Handunneththi, and Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development – Chathuranga Abeysinghe. 

In addition, they held meetings with senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, and with the members of Ceylon Motor Traders Association.
The delegation also met Deputy High Commissioner of India, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, and apprised him on the operations of Indian automobile companies in Sri Lanka.

This visit further strengthens the economic partnership between India and Sri Lanka, fostering collaboration and development in the automobile industry.   

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has been ordered to be remanded until tomorrow (March 20).

Tennakoon surrendered and appeared before the Matara Magistrate’s Court earlier today.

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala also announced in Parliament today that CID officers had conducted an inspection of a residence owned by Tennakoon, located at No. 76/A/7, 7th Lane, Gangani Gardens, Hokandara.

During the inspection, they discovered 795 bottles of foreign liquor and 214 bottles of wine, totaling 1,009 bottles, he added.

Additionally, the police seized a pistol, believed to be Tennakoon’s firearm, and two Apple phones.

(Previous news 2025 March 19 – 09.44.a.m.)

Fmr. IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon surrenders to court

Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has arrived at the Matara Magistrate’s Court.

This case is scheduled to be taken up this morning (March 19).

Tennakoon’s court appearance is linked to a shooting incident near the W15 Hotel in Weligama on December 31, 2023.

The Matara Magistrate’s Court issued an order on February 28th to arrest 8 police officers including Tennakona in connection with the shooting incident at the “W 15” hotel in the Weligama area of Matara.

Subsequently, Mr. Deshabandu Tennakoon submitted a writ petition to the Court of Appeal through his lawyers on March (10) requesting that this arrest be prevented.

Accordingly, On March 17, the Court of Appeal dismissed the writ petition filed by Tennakoon without a hearing.